Sunday, October 18, 2015

What is a dental crown?A crown is an artificial “cap” in the shape of a tooth. The
purpose of the crown is to replace a damaged or discolored tooth. They provide
functionality and esthetics similar to the natural dentition.

Why you need a crown:

In cases where
substantial decay undermines the structure and function of the tooth

Restoring a
broken or worn down crown

Adding strength
to a root canalled tooth

To hold a bridge
in place

In order to cover a dental implant

Types of crowns: The type of crown used is based of several factors- The extent of
the damaged tooth, location of the tooth, and cost of the material

All ceramic: The
most esthetic crowns typically placed in anterior regions, however they
are brittle and fragile.

All metal: These
provide the most support and strength, particularly in posterior weight
baring regions.

Porcelain fused
to metal: A hybrid between all ceramic and all metal, these crowns provide
the strength of the metal crowns and the esthetics of all ceramic crowns.

Zirconia: These crowns can be fabricated at
the dental office using a computer software and milled in one sitting.

After the tooth
in question is anaesthetized, the dentist will begin to reduce the size of
the tooth in order for the crown (“cap”) to be placed in the next
appointment.

The dentist will
take an impression of the prepared tooth and send it to the technician for
the permanent tooth fabrication

In this
appointment the patient and dentist choose the shade of the permanent
crown most appropriate for the patient.

A temporary
crown will be made using the first impression taken.

The temporarily cemented crown will protect
the prepared tooth until the next appointment.

Second appointment

The dentist will
removed the temporary crown and clean the prepared tooth

The dentist will
sit the permanent crown on the prepared tooth and make sure the fit is
accurate

The dentist will
check and adjust the chewing surface if the bite is too high.

Once the patient
and dentist are satisfied with the crown, the dentist will cement the
crown and remove any access cement.

Post op instructions after
crown procedure.

If soreness is
felt after the tooth preparation, pain killers such as Ibuprofen may be
used.

In instances
when the gum tissue become red or irritated use salt water rinses.

If anesthetics
were used, wait until the numbness subsides before eating anything to
prevent injury of the gums and cheeks.

After the
placement of the temporary crown, do not eat sticky or hard food and chew
on the opposite side to prevent dislodgment of the crown.

Eating soft
foods is recommended for the day of the crown placement.

If the temporary
crown does break or fall out, save the crown and call our office as soon
as possible.

When flossing
around the temporary crown, slide the floss under the crown and pull
outwards rather than lifting upwards. This prevents the crown from
potentially dislodging.

Some pressure
might be felt one or two days after the placement of the crown. If
discomfort lasts longer than two or three days, please visit our office,
to prevent any damage to the crown or jaw joint.

At times the tooth becomes loose due to cement
washing out. This poses a risk of bacteria infiltration. If the crown
feels loose please call us as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Will the crown look like my natural teeth?

A.Yes, the crowns are fabricated in order to intricately replicate
the natural appearance of your teeth. The technicians can paint any staining or
color similar to adjacent teeth.

Q. How long will the crowns last?

A.Generally they last about ten
years. The longevity of the crowns depends
on the oral hygiene and habits of the patient. In patients that grind their
teeth, chew on ice or fingernails, the lifetime of the crown reduces due to
wear and potential fracture.

Q.How can I maintain good oral hygiene to maintain the crown?

A. Regular cleaning of the teeth and
gums are crucial to the life of the crown. Brushing twice a day and flossing
daily will not only protect you crown but your overall dentition as well. . In
cases of bridges, there are special flosses known as super floss that can
effectively clean inter-dental areas. Avoid eating hard food that may cause
fracture. If the patient is a known grinder, the dentist may elect to give the
patient a night guard to help prevent damage to the crown

Q.Will the preparation of the tooth hurt?

A.No, the tooth will be anesthetized prior to the reduction. If the
tooth has been treated with a root canal, a post crown will be placed and
anesthesia may not be needed.

Q.What is a post in a crown?

A. A post is placed in a root canal tooth on which a crown is placed. The post provides support and
stability of the crown.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or
to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW.
LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 %
Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We
accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965
Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides
Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford,
Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

Monday, October 12, 2015

DENTAL INSURANCE EXPLAINED

By

LAKE LANIER SMILES

Lake Lanier Smiles accept most dental
insurances.We are in network with the
insurance company.We do all the
paperwork and verify your benefits, No hassle for you. Here are the major
dental insurance companies which offer dental insurances and have negotiated
prices with us.

DELTA DENTAL INSURANCE

Delta dental is
the largest dental benefits carrier in America. They offer affordable and quality
dental insurance. Delta dental offers a wide selection of plans. They have
affordable premiums with vision benefits along with dental benefits. They
have PPO and Indemnity plans. We are proud to be in network with the delta
dental PPO.

AETNA
DENTAL INSURANCEAetna offers a variety of insurance plans to fit
your budget. They make dentistry affordable and easy to access. Aetna is one of
the largest dental insurance network in the country. Aetna doesn't offer dental
insurance directly to individuals but your employer can buy a plan for you.
Aetna plans can lower the dental costs. Lake Lanier Smiles participate in Aetna
Preferred Provider Organization network.

HUMANA
DENTAL INSURANCEHumana dental insurance offers plans for
individuals and the whole family covering basic preventive services. They offer
low deductibles and cover emergency dental care. We are in network with Humana
PPO so you can save on dental services when you choose our dental office.

AMERITAS
DENTAL INSURANCEAmeritas has dental plans which help cover the
cost of exams, cleanings and treatment to prevent expensive dental work later.
Ameritas emphasizes on making a lifetime healthy smile. Ameritas has coverage
for preventive, basic and major dental work. We accept Ameritas dental
insurance. Lake Lanier smiles will explain your coverage according to your
selected plan.

BLUE
CROSS BLUE SHIELD DENTAL INSURANCEBCBS is the oldest health benefits company in
America. They offer a large networks of dental plans for you and your family.
Some of the plans cover 100% of preventive and regular dental exams and
cleanings. We will find your benefits and explain them to you by our insurance
coordinator. Lake Lanier Smiles accept BCBS PPO dental insurances.

GUARDIAN
DENTAL INSURANCEGuardian dental insurance plans made millions of
patients happy with their quality dental products. We are in network with
Guardian dental insurance. Before your appointment at Lake Lanier Smiles we
make sure you are covered and by what extent. Generally you have a complete
coverage for preventive exams and cleanings. We will let you know your
co-payments well in advance so that you are prepared.

METLIFE
DENTAL INSURANCEMetLife with their Preferred Dentist Program
offer a wide range of dental options. This is a PPO plan designed to increase
value of the benefits and meets the dental goals. They have the commitment and
strength to deliver a high quality dental plan to satisfy the patient’s needs.
Lake Lanier Smiles can take care of the pain in the mouth and wallet by
participating as a preferred provider of MetLife dental plans.

PRINCIPAL
FINANCIAL GROUPPrincipal Life Insurance Company offers dental
insurance that is affordable and easy. There are variety of plans to cater for
your needs and goals. They have the plans which cover both dental and vision.
Lake Lanier Smiles is in network with The Principal.

UNITED
CONCORDIA DENTAL INSURANCEUnited Concordia recognizes that overall health
begins with good oral health. United Concordia provide plans with attractive
discounts and maximize the benefits dollars by getting more services. They
offer dental plans that combine affordability and flexibility. They have a good
mix of dental coverage and dental network. We are accepting new patients at
Lake Lanier Smiles with United Concordia for low cost dental care.

UNITED
HEALTH CARE DENTAL INSURANCEUnited Health care has Preferred Provider
Organization(PPO) dental plan which offers great flexibility with network
savings. They have one of the biggest networks in America. United
Healthcare has negotiated significantly lower rates with Lake Lanier Smiles so
you can enjoy the savings at the dentist. The insurance coordinator will
explain your coverage based in your plan.

If you have any questions about your
Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or
visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our
prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you
the Same Day. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands
Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental
care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill,
Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.